Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on an Internet web site, where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at a selected grocery store, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items, and provide payment. A user may also download a created shopping list to a handheld computing device (e.g., PDA) or print the list with reference to the layout of a particular grocery store. Users are required to register and provide specific demographic information (useful to manufacturers and stores) to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site, such as menu creation, coupon downloads, menu planning, and recipe input. Shopping lists may be created from a single input screen using standard language text. Products may be automatically suggested to the user based on best regular price or retailer&#39;s specials. Recipes may be altered to meet numbers of servings or to comply with dietary requirements.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/164,334, filed Jun. 6, 2002, entitled “INTERACTIVE INTERNET SHOPPING AND DATA INTEGRATION METHOD AND SYSTEM” which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/297,207, filed Jun. 7, 2001, entitled “INTERACTIVE INTERNET SHOPPING AND DATA INTEGRATION METHOD AND SYSTEM”.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to shopping for goods and services, and more particularly, to a method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on the Internet, where the user, among other things, is offered the opportunity to create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list into a personal digital assistant or like device for use in the store, etc.

Recently, a wide range of interactive devices has been developed to provide information to a variety of users via communications networks. These interactive devices include, for example, computers connected to various computer on-line services, interactive kiosks, interactive television systems, a variety of other wired and wireless devices, such as personal data assistants (PDA's), and the like. In particular, the popularity of computer on-line services has grown immensely in popularity over the last decade. Computer on-line services are provided by a wide variety of different companies.

In general, most computer on-line services are accessed via the Internet. The Internet is a global network of computers. One popular part of the Internet is the World Wide Web, or the “Web.” The World Wide Web contains computers that display graphical and textual information. Computers that provide information on the World Wide Web are typically called “Web sites.” A Web site is defined by an Internet address that has an associated electronic page, often called a “home page.” Generally, a home page is an electronic document that organizes the presentation of text, graphical images, audio and video into a desired display. These Web sites are operated by a wide variety of entities, which are typically called “providers.”

A user may access the Internet via a dedicated high-speed line or by using a personal computer (PC) equipped with a conventional modem or a variety of other wired and wireless devices. Special interface software, called “browser” software, is installed within the PC or other access device. When the user wishes to access the Internet by normal telephone line, an attached modem is automatically instructed to dial the telephone number associated with the local Internet host server. The user can then access information at any address accessible over the Internet. Two well-known web browsers, for example, are the Netscape Navigator browser marketed by Netscape Communications Corporation and the Internet Explorer browser marketed by Microsoft Corporation.

Information exchanged over the Internet is typically encoded in HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) format. The HTML format is a scripting language that is used to generate the home pages for different content providers. In this setting, a content provider is an individual or company that places information (content) on the Internet so that others can access it. As is well known in the art, the HTML format is a set of conventions for marking different portions of a document so that each portion appears in a distinctive format. For example, the HTML format identifies or “tags” portions of a document to identify different categories of text (e.g., the title, header, body text, etc.). When a web browser accesses an HTML document, the web browser reads the embedded tags in the document so it appears formatted in the specified manner.

An HTML document can also include hyperlinks, which allow a user to move from one document to another document on the Internet. A hyperlink is an underlined or otherwise emphasized portion of text that, when selected using an input device such as a mouse, activates a software connection module that allows the user to jump between documents or pages (i.e., within the same Web site or to other Web sites). Hyperlinks are well known in the art, and have been sometimes referred to as anchors. The act of selecting the hyperlink is often referred to as “clicking on” the hyperlink.

Some grocery shopping utilizing Internet-based web sites has been available for five or more years, allowing the user to select and purchase for delivery, or pick up, items offered by retailers. Typically these web sites have either been specific to a particular retailer, traditional or web-based, or, more recently, for a limited number of retailers in a particular geographic area.

Despite the availability of these shopping methods, it is well known that users have frequently been unwilling to use these methods for their routine grocery shopping. For example, users must utilize a cumbersome and rigidly structured hierarchical menu to select items for purchase. This approach is counter to the way most people approach grocery shopping, identifying items individually or by relatedness, such as selecting ingredients from a recipe. Additionally, users have been unable to price-compare like items between stores, making it difficult to decide where to shop. In addition users often wish to price-compare brands in the same store quickly, a feature not heretofore readily provided.

Furthermore, it is rarely within the users' coupon resources to locate the specific coupons for most or all of the items on their grocery list for a particular shopping experience. To date, users must select coupons from the newspaper or from Internet-based coupon sources and manually match the coupons to their purchases. This approach of manually matching coupons to purchases results in significant missed opportunities for users. In addition, when users have matched the coupons with their purchases there have been limited methods for redeeming the coupons, except at the time of purchase by physical presentation of the coupon.

Most importantly, Internet grocery shopping has based its revenue generation on delivery fees and charging more for the products purchased by the user. Most, if not all, grocers create separate warehouses for their Internet-based grocery establishments, and therefore, offer a limited selection of items at a higher cost to the user. As evidenced by the number of failures of Internet grocery shopping web sites this arrangement has been largely unsuccessful. Further evidence of the difficulties with existing methods has been the limited number of users attracted to grocery shopping on the Internet.

Finally, users have not been presented with opportunities to utilize other tools to make the shopping effort more efficient and effective. Particularly, users have had to manually maintain reminders, capture items for purchase on scraps of paper or elsewhere to reuse what they need. They have been required to transcribe items required from their own recipes and meal plans onto the previously available web sites. Similarly, they have been required to transcribe quantities from recipes, meal plans and weekly menu plans which can be time consuming and result in items being missed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a solution to these above-mentioned problems of the prior art by presenting a new and effective system for interactively shopping for groceries on the Internet—a new approach to grocery shopping by thinking “out of the box”.

It is a further object and feature of the invention to require users to register on the web site and provide specific demographic information to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site such as menu creation and coupon downloads; this invention not only stores exact/specific demographic information, but also impels the user to the grocery store (brick and mortar) committed and prepared to shop.

It is a further object and feature of this invention to provide to users the ability to create shopping lists from a simple set of input screens using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4 oz., etc.). It is a further object and feature of this invention that the user can also select relevant products to purchase from a previously completed shopping list.

It is a further object and feature of this invention that the user may elect to have coupons related to the products selected for purchase downloaded for printing or downloaded to the user's “savings card” for the Grocery Store where the selected products will be purchased. Thus, receiving coupons for the selected items is an automatic feature which saves the user time by eliminating the extra effort to create the list by reviewing and selecting coupons; the user automatically receives all available coupons applicable to their purchases.

It is a further object and feature hereof that items are suggested to the user based upon the user's prior shopping habits, and the items with which the user has chosen to create a shopping list (e.g., you select potatoes, butter and chives—the system presents an advertisement for a brand of sour cream). It is a further object and feature of the invention to automatically suggest products to the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials.

Moreover, it is an additional object and feature of this invention to provide users the opportunity to view recipes provided from a variety of sources including food Manufacturers and diet plans and to input and store their own recipes. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide users the ability to alter recipes to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements, including identifying specific products that meet selected dietary preferences whether medical or national popular diet plans or religious, e.g., Kosher, Islamic, etc., and store the changes for future use. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide users the ability to include ingredients of any recipe in their current shopping list or to convert a recipe into a shopping list, including converting the user's own recipes into a shopping list.

It is yet another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide the user the ability to include any recipe, theirs or others, in a meal or menu plan that is stored for the user on the web site. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide the user the ability to include any required ingredients of a meal or menu plan in their current shopping list.

It is a further object and feature of the invention to present to users manufacturer's advertisements, grocers' promotion and related item retailer's promotions based on the items included in the user's current shopping list, providing the user the opportunity to take advantage of savings on related products. It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to compare prices and availability of specific products for different retailers or different brands at a single retailer location.

It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to indicate items from the user's shopping list to be included in the user's pantry. It is a further objective and feature of the invention that pantry items may be included on the user's shopping list when the user concludes the items should be purchased.

Moreover, it is another object and feature of another aspect this invention to make available certain diet plans for review and reference by the user, and if the user chooses, to have a selected diet plan's criteria, such as low fat, low salt or specified products, to be used to suggest items as the user selects products based on their shopping list; and, in this manner, the user's grocery list can be filtered (by computer) by dietary requirements and items best matched to the user's needs by the system. And it is a further object and feature hereof to permit the user to view nutritional-content labels for products without having to create a shopping list.

It is a further object and feature of the invention to provide users with the ability to select products as they are shopping and designate them as charitable contributions and to provide the user a summary of the dollar value their total contributions on request, thus making the opportunity to so give to charity effortless. It is a further object and feature of the invention that products selected as charitable contributions be communicated to the retailer for distribution to the selected charitable organization by the retailer.

It is a further object and feature of the invention that all user profiles and purchase history be stored in a database. It is a further object and feature of the invention that analyses of the user profile information and purchasing history are provided to retailers, Manufacturers, coupon clearinghouses, and diet plans and possibly others on a fee basis. It is an additional feature of the invention that users will be allowed to utilize the web site at no charge to them as method for increasing overall usage of the invention.

It is a further object and feature of the invention to utilize a user's personal digital assistant or similar device for collecting shopping list items and uploading those items to the user's storage area on the company's website. It is a further object and feature of the invention to utilize a user's personal digital assistant or similar device for downloading a user's shopping list or the list of specific products to be purchased, organized according to the store's layout, to allow the user to simplify the user's shopping experience at the retailer. It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to print either the shopping list or the specific product list, organized according to the store's layout, including the grocer's code numbers.

It is a still further object and feature of this invention that kiosks are provided within the store for use by customers to do those things of the system of this invention at the store that they might do at their home computer.

And it is a feature of this invention to provide each and every feature and advantage and business method and computer system described, mentioned or suggested anywhere in this application, including all tables, figures, and other material therein, especially including the within Summary of the Invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a method comprising the steps of: arranging receiving grocery store information from a plurality of grocery stores, at least two of which are unrelated grocery stores, in at least one geographic area; arranging receiving comparison information of at least one particular grocery item made available by such plurality of grocery stores; wherein such comparison information comprises at least grocery item manufacturer UPC coding of at least one particular grocery item, and price information of at least one particular grocery item; computer-storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of generic grocery-item descriptions; computer-storing linkage between at least one generic grocery-item description from such plurality of generic grocery-item descriptions and comparison information of at least one particular grocery item. Moreover, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing user access to such linkage by way of at least one computer network. Additionally, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of: providing user selecting among such plurality of grocery stores; providing user selecting of at least one generic grocery-item description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of generic grocery-item descriptions; providing displaying comparison information of such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected grocery stores; providing user selecting of such displayed at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; and providing storing such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list. Also, it provides such a method, wherein the step of providing user selecting among such plurality of grocery stores further comprises the step(s) of: providing user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and providing user selection of at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one user-selected preferred shopping area. In addition, it provides such a system, wherein the step of providing user selecting of at least one generic grocery-item description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of generic grocery-item descriptions further comprises the step(s) of: providing user creation and management of at least one list type, at least one shopping list, comprising a listing of user-selected generic grocery-item descriptions; providing storing such at least one shopping list. And, it provides such a method, further comprising the steps of: providing retrieval of such stored at least one shopping list; providing user selection of particular grocery items using such at least one shopping list. Further, it provides such a method, wherein user selection of particular grocery items may now be performed after display to at least one user of comparison information of at least one particular grocery item from two unrelated grocery stores. Even further, it provides such a method, further comprising the steps of: providing storing a plurality of recipe ingredient listings, each comprising at least one listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; providing user selection among such plurality of recipe ingredient listings; providing adding, to be stored for purchase, at least one generic grocery-item description from such at least one recipe ingredient listing to at least one shopping list; providing user selection of at least one particular grocery item using such at least one shopping list. Moreover, it provides such a method, further comprising the steps of: providing receiving at least one meal plan; providing storing such at least one meal plan; providing adding at least one recipe ingredient listing to such at least one meal plan; providing adding such at least one generic grocery-item description to such at least one meal plan; providing adding at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; providing adding such at least one generic grocery-item description to at least one shopping list; providing adding at least one particular grocery item to such at least one shopping list. Additionally, it provides such a method, further comprising the steps of: providing receiving at least one menu plan; providing storing such at least one menu plan; providing adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; providing adding at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and providing adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. Also, it provides such a method, wherein the step of arranging receiving grocery store information from a plurality of grocery stores, at least two of which are unrelated grocery stores, in at least one geographic area, comprises the step(s) of receiving shelf location information related to at least one particular grocery item. In addition, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of: providing transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one user selected grocery store; and providing user access to at least one shopping web site of such selected at least one grocery store. And, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing storing at least one purchases list for at least one selected grocery store. Further, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing transferring such at least one purchases list to at least portable computing device. Even further, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing printing such at least one purchases list. Moreover, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing printing such at least one purchases list. Additionally, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of providing storing such at least one purchase list as such at least one shopping list. Also, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of: providing storing such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; providing selecting and removing at least one particular grocery item to and from such at least one pantry list; providing user selecting of at least one particular pantry list; providing adding at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. In addition, it provides such a method, wherein the step(s) of providing user access to such linkage by way of at least one computer network comprises the step(s) of registering at least one user with such at least one computer network and storing demographic information of such at least one user. And, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of recording user selections of particular grocery items. Further, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of: arranging receiving at least one electronic coupon related to a particular grocery item from a particular grocery item manufacturer; storing such at least one electronic coupon; displaying such at least one electronic coupon to at least one user; arranging user-redemption of such at least one electronic coupon. Even further, it provides such a method, further comprising the step(s) of: arranging receiving at least one diet plan comprising dietary requirements; storing such at least one diet plan; providing selecting at least one stored diet plan; providing relating dietary requirements of at least one selected diet plan to at least one particular grocery item; and presenting, to be selected by a user, particular grocery items related to both such dietary requirements and to such selected at least one generic grocery-item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. Even further, it provides such a method, further comprising: arranging receiving advertising information; relating such advertising information to at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase to a user.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a computer system, relating to online grocery shopping, comprising: at least one first database to store at least one organized listing of generic grocery-item description; at least one second database to store at least one organized listing of particular grocery item descriptions; at least one first computer processor to relate at least one generic grocery-item description to at least one particular grocery item description; at least one third database to store information about at least one plurality of grocery stores; at least one fourth database to store, for each grocery store, comparison information relating to at least particular grocery item description; at least one first interface to permit selection of at least one generic grocery-item description from the at least one organized listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; at least one second computer processor, responsive to selection of at least one generic grocery-item description, to present comparison information about at least one particular grocery item available in at least two grocery stores; and at least one second interface to permit selecting at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at a selected grocery store.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a computer program having a set of instructions enabling the steps of: storing an organized listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; storing data-information describing unrelated grocery stores; relating a particular grocery item to at least one generic grocery-item description; storing, for each one of such unrelated grocery stores, comparison data-information relating to a particular grocery item; presenting data-comparison information, in response to selecting at least one generic grocery-item description, for a particular grocery item available in selected grocery stores; and providing storing selected particular grocery items to be purchased at a selected grocery store.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention provides Internet web site shopping method and system comprising: database means for storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; database means for storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; computer processor means for relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; computer processor means for presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store. Additionally, this invention provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; database means for storing such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.

Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; database means for storing such at least one recipe; computer processor means for displaying such at least one recipe; interface means for user inputting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; interface means for user selecting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user inputting of meal plans; database means for storing meal plans; computer processor means for adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user inputting of menu plans; database means for storing menu plans; computer processor means for adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one menu plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.

Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; and, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store. It also provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery store; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and database means for storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.

Additionally, this invention provides such a system wherein such interface means for user selecting of such at least two grocery stores comprises: interface means for user selecting of at least one preferred shopping area; and interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; and, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printer means for printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.

Yet in addition, the present invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; database means for storing such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular pantry list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user designating of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and computer processor means for transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising: interface means for registering such at least one user; database means for storing demographic information of such at least one user; and computer processor means for recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.

Even further, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers□ coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; interface means for displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; computer processor transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printer means printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user. It also provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and computer processor means for presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for receiving advertising information; computer processor means for relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and computer processor means for presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention provides Internet web site shopping method and system comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores in at least one geographic area to provide descriptive grocery store information for such at least two grocery stores; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide comparison information for at least one particular grocery item for at least two grocery stores; storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; retrieving from such at least two unrelated grocery stores such grocery store description information; retrieving from such at least two grocery stores such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; storing linkage between at least one such grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of such plurality of such grocery item general descriptions and such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; displaying such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; and storing such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list.

Also, this invention provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores further comprises the steps of: permitting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area. And it provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions further comprises the steps of: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; and storing such at least one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; and permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: recruiting such at least one user; registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user as user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery store to receive such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for display of such at least one particular grocery item available at such at least two unrelated grocery stores.

Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such at least one purchases list containing such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept at least one user discount card enrollment information; and making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to allow such at least one user access to grocery shopping web sites of such at least two unrelated grocery stores. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: retrieving such nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such nutrition labeling information for such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to receive user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for presenting such recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one coupon clearinghouse to provide coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; retrieving such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such coupon information related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with such management of such at least one coupon clearinghouse to receive such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery coupon clearing house to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step of transferring such at least one such coupon information to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising the step of printing such at least one such coupon information; and, also, further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to associate such coupon information related to such selected at least one particular grocery item with such at least one user discount card.

And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to use at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; permitting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such at least one grocery item general description; making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan Provider to receive user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan Provider to receive such user purchases history; making arrangements with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan Provider to provide compensation for providing such user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan Provider to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to grocery shopping; making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such advertising information related to grocery shopping; presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item relating to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item related to such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to such at least one shopping list.

Even further, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; permitting user selection of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept charitable donation information related to such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one user recipe; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.

Yet in addition, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: displaying such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user modification of such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user saving modified such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer as such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user inputting of at least one meal plan; storing such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding of such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; adding such selected at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one menu plan; storing such at least one menu plan; permitting user addition of such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; permitting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item comprises grocery item manufacturer UPC coding for such at least one particular grocery item; and price information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item further comprises grocery store shelf location information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising the step of transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also further comprising the step of printing such at least one purchases list.

Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a computer software system having a set of instructions for an Internet web site shopping system, such instructions enabling the steps of: storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; assisting selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; storing such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list; and removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system 2 further comprising: receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; storing such at least one recipe; displaying such at least one recipe; assisting user input of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; assisting user selection of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.

Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: assisting user input of meal plans; storing meal plans; adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; assisting user selection of such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting user input of menu plans; storing menu plans; adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; assisting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selecting of a plurality of such particular grocery items from such selected shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store. And it provides such a system wherein such at least one computer interface system structured and arranged to assist user selection of such at least two grocery stores comprises: assisting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.

Still further, this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also further comprising transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.

Still in addition, this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving at least one diet plan; storing such at least one diet plan; receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; assisting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving advertising information; relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.

DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND CROSS-REFERENCES

Client-Server—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a model of interaction in a distributed system in which a program at one site sends a request to a program at another site and waits for a response. The requesting program is called the “client,” and the program, which responds to the request, is called the “server.” In the context of the World Wide Web, the client is typically a “Web browser”, which runs on a user's computer; the program which responds to Web browser requests at a Web site is commonly referred to as a “Web server.”

Coupon—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to discounts offered by Manufacturers and others as an incentive to purchase any particular grocery item. Coupons typically include restrictions such as period of validity, quantity of product that must be purchased, and package size limitations

Diet Plan Provider—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to companies with develop and market diet plans.

Diet Plan—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to weight loss programs, nutritional programs or other programs designed to manage one or more aspects of food consumption by humans.

Diet Plan Requirement—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific directions to be followed by individuals adhering to any particular diet plan. Examples, of diet plan requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: low fat, no fat, low sugar, no sugar, no salt, no carbohydrates, etc. Diet plan requirements may also include specific grocery items such as Weight Watchers brand products.

Domain Name System (DNS)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to an Internet service that translates domain names (which are alphabetic identifiers) into IP addresses (which are numeric identifiers for machines on a TCP/IP network).

Grocery item—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific products commonly sold by Grocery Storey stores. A grocery item is not necessarily limited to food products. Examples may include Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Miller Lite Beer, etc.

Grocery Item Comparison Information—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to information about a specific grocery item. Comparison information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer, brand name, product name, container size, price, price per unit, discounts, special offer pricing and nutrition information.

Grocery Item General Description—This term is sometimes used herein to common terms used to refer to grocery items without reference to manufacturer or container size. Examples include: milk, eggs, butter, cheese, green beans, corn, cereal, etc.

Grocery store—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to retail outlets whose primary business is sale of food products to the public from a geographic location. These retail outlets may be owned and managed as a single stores, or owned and managed as group or “chain” of stores.

HyperText Markup Language (HTML)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a standard coding convention and set of codes for attaching presentation and linking attributes to informational content within documents. During a document authoring stage, the HTML codes (referred to as “tags”) are embedded within the informational content of the document. When the Web document (or “HTML document”) is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a Web browser, the codes are interpreted by the Web browser and used to parse and display the document. In addition to specifying how the Web browser is to display the document, HTML tags can be used to create links to other websites and other Web documents (commonly referred to as “hyperlinks”). For more information on HTML, see Ian S. Graham, The HTML Source Book, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 0471-11894-4).

HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to the standard World Wide Web client-server protocol used for the exchange of information (such as HTML documents, and client requests for such documents) between a Web browser and a Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types of messages that can be sent from the client to the server to request different types of server actions. For example, a “GET” message, which has the format GET, causes the server to return the document or file located at the specified Universal Resource Locator (URL).

Internet—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that are linked together by a set of standard protocols to form a distributed network. While this term is intended to refer to what is now commonly known as the Internet, it is also intended to encompass variations, which may be made in the future, including changes and additions to existing standard protocols.

LAN (Local Area Network)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an office or building.

Meal Plan—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of items to be served for a meal. The list of items to be served may include any or all of the following: typical grocery item descriptions (milk, eggs, etc.), specific grocery items (Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, etc.), recipes by name.

Menu Plan—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of meals to be served on a date or series of dates. A menu plan may include any or all of the following: named meal plans, recipes by name, typical grocery item descriptions, specific grocery items.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a small hand held computer with or without wireless access to the Internet. A lightweight, hand-held, usually pen-based computer used as a personal organizer.

Purchases List—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc. The term shopping cart is also sometimes used with the same meaning.

Purchasing Method—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to method used by a shopper to acquire their selected items from any particular store. These methods may include, but are not limited to, delivery, selected items pre-packed and ready for pick up, or a shopping list organized by store which may be printed or downloaded to a PDA.

Recipe—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of ingredients and quantities required to prepare a food item such as macaroni and cheese or turkey tetrazinni. Recipes also generally contain preparation instructions. The list of ingredients may include, but is not limited to, typical grocery item descriptions and specific grocery items.

Shopping Area—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a geographic area, selected by a user, in which the user wishes to shop for groceries. A shopping area may be based on a specified distance from particular zip code, a specified distance from a specified intersection of streets or the boundaries of specified city, or some other method of selecting a shopping area.

Shopping Cart—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc. The term purchases list is also sometimes used with the same meaning.

Shopping List—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of containing grocery items general descriptions and specific grocery items used by users to find and select specific grocery items at selected grocery stores. Items on the shopping list may come from user input, inclusion of recipe ingredients, meal plan grocery items and menu plan grocery items.

Grocery Shopping Web Site Server—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to the web site server on which applicant's system is installed and on which users conduct their shopping.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)—This term is sometimes used herein to a standard Internet protocol (or set of protocols) which specifies how two computers exchange data over the Internet. TCP/IP handles issues such as packetization, packet addressing, handshaking and error correction. For more information on TCP/IP, see Volumes I, II and III of Corner and Stevens, Internetworking with TCP/IP, Prentice Hall, Inc., ISBNs 0-13-468505-9 (vol. I), 0-13-125527-4 (vol. II), and 0-13-474222-2 (vol. III).

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a unique address which fully specifies the location of a file or other resource on the Internet. The general format of a URL is protocol://machine address:port/path/filename. The port specification is optional, and if none is entered by the user, the Web browser defaults to the standard port for whatever service is specified as the protocol. For example, if HTTP is specified as the protocol, the Web browser will use the HTTP default port. The machine address in this example is the domain name for the computer or device on which the file is located.

UPC (Universal Product Code)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a combination of a bar code and numbers by which a scanner can identify a product and usually assign a price. UPCs are managed by the Uniform Code Council which maintains standards and controls issuance of the manufacturer identification number portion of the code. Each manufacturer is responsible for managing the remainder of the code.

WAN (Wide Area Network)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.

Web Site Operator—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to either an entity which has rights to operate the Grocery Shopping Web Site server in the manner intended by this invention under agreement with applicant or to the applicant.

World Wide Web (“Web”)—This term is sometimes used herein to refer to generally to both (1) a distributed collection of interlinked, user-viewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as “Web documents”, “Web pages”, “electronic pages” or “home pages”) that are accessible via the Internet, and (2) the client and server software components that provide user access to such documents using standardized Internet protocols. Currently, the primary standard protocol for allowing applications to locate and acquire Web documents is the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and the electronic pages are encoded using the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). However, the terms “World Wide Web” and “Web” are intended to encompass future markup languages and transport protocols that may be used in place of or in addition to the HyperText Markup Language and the HyperText Transfer Protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the hardware architecture of the Internet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical hardware structure of a typical website where the primary web site functions are shared between three computers.

FIG. 3 illustrates the typical communications between the web site components and the user's workstation.

FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of the web site shopping system implemented in an Internet environment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates applicant's business method of an Internet web site shopping system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the overall shopping flow for a user using applicant's Internet web site shopping system and method, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a use case description of the web site log in process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a use case description of a product search within a particular zip code process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a use case description of a user account sign up process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a use case description of a zip code and store selection process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a use case description of a shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a use case description of a saved shopping list access process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a use case description of a print a shopping list process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a use case description of a download a shopping list to a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a use case description of a save the current shopping list to a user's account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a use case description of a send a shopping list to a store to place an order process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a use case description of a shopping list item nutritional information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a use case description of an in-store sales and promotions information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a use case description of a request available manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a use case description of a download or print any manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a use case description of a sign up for a store savings card process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a use case description of a look up nutritional content of a food item process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a use case description of a browse recipes process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a use case description of a recipe creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a use case description of an edit/delete a recipe process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a use case description of a define a meal for a menu plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a use case description of a create a meal plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a use case description of an edit/delete a meal process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a use case description of an alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a use case description of a disable/modify alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a use case description of a PDA software installation on a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list edit/delete process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list upload to user account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 illustrates a sample web site home page screen presented to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user to log in for complete web site access, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for completing web site registration, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for selecting the preferred stores where the user wishes to shop, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of selecting preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about one of the preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of using the search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing selection of an additional preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user displaying the diet plans available on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about an offered diet plan, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user indicating which diet plan has been selected as preferred, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successful completion of the registration process, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for applying for a store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successfully registering for an in-store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 illustrates a sample screen used to search for in-store specials and promotion at a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the in-store specials for a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 illustrates a sample screen used by the user to find available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of a search for available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 illustrates a sample screen showing coupon detail to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55 illustrates a sample screen which presents the shopping area home page of the web site to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56A illustrates a sample screen used to select grocery item general descriptions for addition to user's shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56B illustrates a sample screen which indicates the result of selecting and adding a particular grocery item to the user's shopping list from a product advertisement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 illustrates a sample screen presenting a current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 58 illustrates a sample screen which presents the particular grocery items related to a grocery item general description on the user's current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 59 illustrates a sample screen presenting a completed purchases list showing the selected particular grocery items and remaining grocery item general descriptions which have not been resolved to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 60 illustrates a sample screen presenting the completed purchases list summarized by preferred store to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 61 illustrates a sample screen indicated to the user that the purchases list has been used to update the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 62 illustrates a sample screen a printed version of a purchases list and related coupons for a preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 63 illustrates a sample screen which presents a list of saved shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 64 illustrates a sample screen presenting the detail of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items contained in a specific saved shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 65 illustrates a sample screen providing nutritional information for a product as requested by the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 66 illustrates a sample screen where the user may select which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items or search for additional stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 67 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 68 illustrates a sample screen which allows the user to select which stores will be added to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 69 illustrates a sample screen which presents the result of adding an additional preferred store to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 70 illustrates a sample screen where the user has selected which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71 illustrates a sample screen displaying the purchases list of particular items to be purchased at a specific store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 72 illustrates a sample screen for the user account home page (My Shark), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 73 illustrates a sample screen presents a list of the items currently in the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 74 illustrates a sample screen presenting suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 75 illustrates a sample screen presents the details of one of the suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 76 illustrates a sample screen which confirms that a manufacturer's recipe has been added to the user's recipe list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 77 illustrates a sample screen presenting the recipes home page to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 78 illustrates a sample screen used by a user to create a recipe and save it on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 79 illustrates a sample screen for adding a grocery item general description to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 80 illustrates a sample screen for adding a particular grocery item to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 81 illustrates a sample screen for classifying a user's recipe for ease of searching later, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 82 illustrates a sample screen shows the results of classifying a specific user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 83 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of meals stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 84 illustrates a sample screen which supports the user's creation of a new meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 85 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a grocery item general description to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 86 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a particular grocery item to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 87 illustrates a sample screen shows the combined result of adding items to the selected meal the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 88 illustrates a sample screen for searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 89 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 90 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a recipe to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 91 illustrates a sample screen presents an updated meal list after a meal has been saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 92 illustrates a sample screen presenting a list of menu templates for a user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 93 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of menu templates stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 94 illustrates a sample screen showing a list of meals that may be added to a menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 95 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a selected meal to the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 96 illustrates a sample screen showing a competed plan for a specific day in the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 97 illustrates a sample screen that presents a summary of the meals planned for each day covered by the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 98 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of saving the updated menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 99 illustrates a sample screen presents a calendar form summarizing all dates for which a menu template has been prepared and saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 100 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 101 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 102 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching the user's preferred stores for the best price on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 103 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 104 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 105 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of searching for the nutrition information on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method and software system is described with features for interactively shopping for groceries and related household products, especially on the Internet, where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Store stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the shopping list, or download the list into a handheld computing device (e.g., a PDA or like device) for use in a grocery store, etc.

System and Method Overview

In various embodiments of the system of the present invention, which may embody an appropriate method, apparatus, system configuration and/or computer software (defined as a computer readable medium, for example CD ROM, DVD ROM, floppy disk), are provided which implement the system of grocery shopping described herein.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, this system provides the means for a user to create, maintain and utilize personal shopping lists using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and specific, or particular, products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4 oz., etc.) that, in turn, are used to select the desired products and services from selected retailers. The list of selected products may then be downloaded (or transmitted) to a retailer's system or printed by the user for use in personally purchasing the selected products.

Selected items downloaded to the retailer's system will include instructions as to whether the products should be delivered or packed for pick up by the user. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shopping list is sent to the store's system and the store completes any needed steps, including handling payment, setting a delivery time, checking availability of items being delivered/picked-up, etc. Further, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, the present system preferably divides the list into perishables and non-perishables and then sends the list to the store system. The store then verifies items to be gathered and sets up a preferred pick-up time. The present system permits the user to print the shopping list, which is divided into perishables and non-perishables, so the user knows which perishables the user needs to pick up in addition to those bagged.

All user payments for selected products, whether for delivery or packed for pick up, are arranged through the retailer's e-commerce or similar system. Shopping on the Internet and e-commerce are well known, but within the grocery segment of retailing many attempts have failed because the approaches did not adequately consider user needs (for example, how a user prepares for a trip to the grocery store, or supermarket). To enlarge and enhance a user's shopping experience and make use of the user's normal shopping habits and facilitate the use of such systems, users must be provided a number of simple and powerful tools that support and extend the grocery buying experience.

According to an additional preferred embodiment of this invention, this system provides the functions outlined above and includes the following functions: access to predefined recipes; creation of personal recipes; modification and management of any recipe; creation, modification and deletion of meal plans and menu plans; access to diet plans; selection of specific diet plans; etc.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the system provides the functions outlined above and provides functions to display the availability of coupons that may then be automatically linked to the products selected. These coupons may either be printed or downloaded to a user's savings card for the retailer to apply at the time of payment by the user. Also, functions are provided to facilitate access to nutrition label information. Further, functions are provided to enable price comparisons of the same product available at multiple retailers (even unrelated retailers) as well as price comparison of similar products at a particular retailer location.

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

Internet Environment

Referring now to FIG. 1, an overview of the computer hardware environment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The present invention preferably comprises computer system 108. Computer system 108 comprises input and output devices as is well known in the art. For example, computer system 108 preferably comprises a display screen—monitor 104—keyboard 116, printer 114, mouse 106, etc. Computer system 108 further preferably comprises database 102 for storage of data and software comprising preferred embodiments of the present invention. Computer system 108 is preferably connected to Internet 112 that serves as the presently preferred communications medium. Internet 112, as previously discussed, comprises a global network of networks and computers, public and private. Internet 112 is the preferred connection method to connect users 118, 120, 122 and nnn, to computer system 108 in preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, computer system 108 is shown in more detail. Computer system 108 in a preferred embodiment comprises database server 124, application server 125, and web server 126. Database server 124 preferably runs a database engine. Application server 125 preferably manages the preferred application software. Web server 126 also preferably operates only as the web server.

Referring to FIG. 3, a simplified functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure shows the preferred relationships between user 118 (exemplary of any number of users 118, 120, 122, nnn), Internet 112, web server 126, application server 125 and database server 124. As shown, user 118 requests a page from the web site of the present invention. User 118 is preferably connected via the Internet 112, and the web page request initiates a call to the present invention. The present invention then makes at least one request to database server 124, and generates an HTML page for transmission to user 118 following the database server's completion of the present invention's request and transmission of the requested data back to web server 126. Web server 126 transmits the completed HTML page containing the data requested by user 118 through Internet 112 to user 118.

System Architectures

The system architecture of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, this system includes Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and its required databases which are configured to communicate with one or more user workstations 406; kiosks 413 at a grocery store; other similar devices capable of accessing web sites 408; providers of advertising (Advertising Server 405); providers of diet plans (Diet Plans 403); providers of nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401); providers of store item inventory and promotions (Grocery Stores); providers of manufacturer's coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404); and retailer grocer web sites 410, 411, and 412 for exchange of products selected for purchase (all collectively nodes). Each node is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the web site server via a connection to a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a public switched phone network, a dedicated data line, a cellular network, a Personal Communication System, a satellite network, a cable networks, and/or the like. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, personal digital assistants 407, commonly referred to as PDAs, may be configured to communicate with user workstations 406 for sending and receiving shopping lists information.

According to a preferred embodiment, applicant's Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is implemented as a single general-purpose computer as described below. In another embodiment, the functionality of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is distributed over a plurality of computers. In such an embodiment, the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is configured in a distributed architecture, wherein the database and processors are housed in separate units or locations and connected via a network connection such as those discussed above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an almost unlimited number of controllers may be supported. This arrangement provides a more dynamic and flexible system which is less prone to catastrophic hardware failures affecting the entire system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is preferably implemented as a single general purpose computer including a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an input device, a communications port, a clock, and a mass storage device for storing the Registered User Profiles database, the Menu Plans database, the Diet Plans database, the Item/User Purchase History database, the Nutrition Information database, the Recipes database, the Store Inventory and Promotions database, and the Manufacturer's coupons database. The CPU comprises a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium processor electrically coupled to each of the other components of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409.

The CPU executes program code stored in one or more of ROM, RAM, and mass storage devices to carry out the functions and acts described in connection with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409. The CPU comprises at least one high-speed digital data processor adequate to execute program modules for all application functions including, but not limited to, executing user login, shopping list creation, presentation of information from the various databases, downloading to retailer devices and other devices, capturing item and user purchase history, interacting with other external databases for retrieval and distribution of data, and reporting processes. The modules are further described in connection with FIG. 7 to FIG. 105. The CPU interacts with ROM, RAM, and the mass storage device to execute stored program code according to conventional data processing techniques.

According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, each user workstation device is a browser based system implemented as a single interactive visual display device, audio device, or other like interactive device such as a general purpose computer, phone, or interactive television system. There are many commercial software programs that can enable the communications required by the user workstations with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409, the primary function being transmission and reception of data through the Internet and presentation of data to the user. Examples of such software programs include Internet Explorer browser by Microsoft Corporation.

Each user workstation 406, 408 is capable of communicating directly and indirectly with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409. Communication between the user workstation and the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is electronic, preferably by means of the Internet, and preferably includes conventional high-speed connection employing known communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, and is capable of decrypting and encrypting data received and transmitted between nodes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the Grocery Store Web Site servers is usual for networks such as the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the user workstation 406, 408 and the personal digital assistant 407 is usual for peripheral connections and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.

According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the providers of advertising (Advertising Server 405), diets (Diet Plans 403), nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401), grocery stores item inventory and promotions and manufacturer's coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404) is performed by downloading and updating which is usual for networks hosted on the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.

Business Method

The business method of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the method preferably includes the company (e.g., Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator), its web site, and a variety of business and data relationships, which provide data to and receive data from the web site for the purpose of providing an on-line interactive grocery shopping service to users as described above. Each of the business and data sharing relationships are further described below.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably provide users 501 access to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 (as an example for use in this application), upon providing certain demographic information as part of a registration process, for the purpose of completing shopping lists, redeeming coupons, planning menus and meals, assisting users 501 with dietary maintenance, viewing recipes, selecting specific products or services from a selected Grocery Store and arranging payment and receipt of the selected items. Registered users 501 will preferably have access to all the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 services at no charge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Coupon Clearinghouses 404 which will have the effect of the Coupon Clearinghouses 404 providing current manufacturer's coupon data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Coupon Clearinghouse 404, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Coupon Clearinghouses 404, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Coupon Clearinghouses 404.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Grocery Stores 402, which may be individual stores or supermarket chains as the opportunities are presented, which will have the effect of the Grocery Stores 402 providing detailed information regarding product inventory, pricing and promotion and item location data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect, the Grocery Store 402 will preferably permit the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 to interface with the systems of the Grocery Stores 402 for the transfer of information regarding items purchased, savings card sign up and coupons being redeemed so that the user 501 may complete their shopping process with the Grocery Store 402 as efficiently as possible. As another aspect of the business relationship with the Grocery Stores 402, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Grocery Stores 402, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Grocery Stores 402 and for each savings card user 501 that is registered on the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Diet Plan Providers 403 (such as Weight Watchers, Atkins, or Jenny Craig) which will have the effect of the Diet Plan Providers 403 providing their current diet plan and recipe data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website, thus creating a cross-marketing between the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 and Diet Plan Providers 403. The Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will also assist users 501 of Diet Plan Provider 403 in making their diets “a way of life”, the goal of the diet plan company. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Diet Plan Providers 403, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 may optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular plan and recipe usage, product (if any) purchases and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Diet Plan Providers 403, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing this market analysis information to the Diet Plan Providers 403.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Manufacturers 401 (of grocery products and related items sold by Grocery Stores 402) which will preferably have the effect of the Manufacturer's providing current manufacturer's product promotions, nutrition labeling and recipe data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Manufacturer, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their product buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Manufacturers 401, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information to the Manufacturers 401.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Advertising Servers 405 (such as Open AdStream, DoubleClick, and others) which will preferably have the effect of the Advertising Servers 405 providing current Manufacturer's product and other promotional advertising to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Advertising Servers 405, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Advertising Servers 405, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information provided to the Advertising Servers 405.

System Processes Overview

The system processes of a preferred embodiment of the present invention are illustrated with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates the primary process for users to utilize the Grocery Shopping Web Site 601 to shop for groceries utilizing all the relevant information available from their workstation connected to the Internet or any workstation anywhere that is connected to the Internet.

As shown in FIG. 6, the system may manage any or all of (1) user registration and login referencing and/or updating Registered User Profiles 602, (2) user's selection of a preferred grocery store, (3) Step 1 user creation of a shopping list, (4) Step 2, along with item 13 of the list of this paragraph, the user's consideration of special dietary needs as they relate to products to be purchased from the shopping list, (5) Step 3 user's selection of specific products to satisfy to shopping list requirements, (6) Step 4 presentation to the user of the products selected and total cost, (7) Step 5 the user's decision as to whether the selected products will be sent to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609, or a purchases list 611 printed or downloaded to a Personal Digital Assistant 612 for use by the user in the store, (8) the download of completed shopping list to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609 for delivery to the user or bagging and pickup by the user, (9) the download of the list of products to a PDA 612, (10) printing of the purchases list 611 on the user's printer, (11) downloading, storing and managing manufacturers' and others' meal plans and menu plans 615 and user's creation and storage of meal plans and menu plans and the insertion of items required into the user's current shopping list, (12) user's creation and storage of personal recipes and the insertion of items required into the user's current shopping list, (13) user's selection of a diet plan which may preferably be used to suggest particular grocery items that satisfy the diet plan requirements, for example low-sodium and/or low-fat particular grocery items, during shopping, (14) creation of pantry lists from purchases lists or through user input to server as shopping reminders, (15) requesting, receiving and management of advertising 603 presented to the user which is relevant to items appearing on the user's current shopping list, (16) downloading, storing, managing and presenting manufacturer's nutrition label information 604 to any user on request of the user, (17) downloading, storing and managing each participating store's information, particular item inventory information and in-store promotion 605, (18) downloading, storing and managing coupons 606 from manufacturer's coupon and special promotion information for presentation and use by the user, (19) downloading user's savings from coupons to the selected grocery store's savings card database 608 for update by the grocery store of the user's savings card which then can be applied as a reduction in the user's total cost at the time of payment, (20) printing of the coupons 610 on the user's printer, and/or (21) collection and storage of all relevant purchasing history of the user, products, advertising and coupons 607 for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

Detail of System Processes

Each of the numbered items identified above is further discussed here, arranged in “scenarios” which demonstrate the preferably significant aspects of the system and method.

Registration (Items (1), (2), (13))

A user preferably begins a session by accessing the web site home page which is illustrated in FIG. 35. Preferably a user my access most functions of the without being logged in, but preferably can not complete the shopping process by transferring their purchases list to a selected grocery store of save any of their work. Therefore, users are preferably encouraged to register and log in each time. As shown in FIG. 36 preferably the user is given the option of logging in using an assigned ID and password, if previously registered, or registering for the first time. The preferred steps of the use case “Web site log in” are illustrated in FIG. 7. To register, as shown in FIG. 37 a new user is required to complete specific demographic information identify their preferred grocery store, pick an ID and password and agree to the user agreement. The preferred registration steps of the “User account sign up” use case are provided in FIG. 9. Preferably, after successful completion of registration users are provided the opportunity to select specific grocery stores location near the address they entered as illustrated in FIG. 38. Preferably, selection of particular stores associates them with a user's profile and the selected stores are used as defaults for the user's further shopping. The association of selected grocery stores with a user's profile is illustrated in FIG. 39. The preferred steps of the “Zip code and store selection” use case are provided in FIG. 10. A user may preferably request additional information, including a location map, about a particular store by selected the store's name as illustrated in FIG. 40.

If users wish to find other stores, for instance not near their entered addresses, preferably they will use the Advanced Store Search as illustrated in FIG. 41. This function preferably allows the location and selection of stores which might be used when traveling or for shopping for a family member in another city. The results of the Advanced Store Search are shown in FIG. 42. Users may select a store from the list of stores found by the Advanced Store Search as an additional preferred grocery store as illustrated in FIG. 43.

Finally, users are given the opportunity to review the various diet plans offered on the web site as illustrated in FIG. 44. An example of the preferred types of information provided is shown in FIG. 45. Preferably, users may optionally choose to add the selected diet to their profile, for reference during shopping, after reviewing the diet information. The result of choosing to add a diet to a profile is demonstrated in FIG. 46. After considering the diet plans available on the grocery shopping web site, the registration process is preferably complete as illustrated by FIG. 47. After completing the registration process users may access all user functions of the grocery shopping web site.

Savings Card Application/In-Store Savings/Manufacturer Coupon Use Case

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention registered users may sign up for grocery store savings card or input their existing grocery story savings card information. Preferably signing up for a grocery store savings card may allow coupons to automatically be applied to purchases made through the grocery shopping web site at the issuing grocery store. The sign up process steps are illustrated in use case “Sign Up For Store Savings Card”, as shown in FIG. 21. A preferred input screen is shown in FIG. 48. After successful completion of the grocery store savings card application users are preferably provided an opportunity to review the in-store promotions available as shown in FIG. 49. The user preferably starts the search by selecting the store for which the in-store promotions are of interest as demonstrated in FIG. 50. Preferably, once the user has selected a store, the in-store specials are listed for user review as shown in FIG. 51. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 51, users may preferably add any selected particular grocery item to their shopping cart. The opportunity to review in-store specials is preferably available throughout the shopping process by selecting the Savings tab and the In-Store Specials secondary navigation link. The preferred steps for reviewing in-store sales and promotions are provided in use case “Store sales and promotions information request”, provided in FIG. 18.

Preferably, coupon information is available to users by selecting the Coupons secondary navigation link in the Savings Section of the grocery shopping web site. The coupon search process preferably requires user input of the manufacturer's brand name and Savings Category or keyword as illustrated in FIG. 52. The coupon search results are illustrated in FIG. 53. Particular grocery items returned from the coupon search may preferably be added to the user's shopping list. As noted, coupons for items purchased are preferably automatically saved for either printing, downloading to a user's PDA, or transfer to the grocery store where the particular grocery item will be purchased. Preferably, a user may see the details of any coupon found by selecting the item; a sample coupon is shown in FIG. 54. Preferably, if the user desires the coupon may be printed. The preferred steps for reviewing available coupons are provided in use case “Request available manufacturer's coupon”, provided in FIG. 19 and in use case “Download or print any manufacturer's coupons” provided in FIG. 20.

Shopping (Items (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (14), (20))

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site. Preferably, users may select the secondary navigation link “Build Your Shopping List” to begin creation of a new shopping list (Step 1). The preferred primary screen for building a new shopping list is shown in FIG. 56A. Each user will preferably use the three tier menu of grocery categories and sub-categories to select grocery item general descriptions which they desire to purchase. Preferably, each selection of an end point of the menu adds the grocery item general description to the user's shopping list. Preferably, after each selection of a grocery item general description, the addition of a grocery item general description to the shopping list is confirmed as illustrated in FIG. 56B. Alternatively, a user may choose to select a product image displayed as an advertisement and add the particular grocery item to the shopping list. Preferably, at any time during the selection of grocery item general descriptions a user may view the shopping list by selecting the “Today's Shopping List” link. A preferred example of a shopping list display is shown in FIG. 57. FIG. 11 provides the use case “Shopping list creation” which sets out preferred user steps for creating a shopping list.

Preferably a user may, at any time, search for all related particular grocery items related to the grocery item general description included in the shopping list (Step 2 and Step 3). An example of the preferred particular grocery item search results for a grocery item general description is shown in FIG. 58. Preferably this search results screen allow a user to select the particular grocery item and quantity desired at the desired grocery store. This screen preferably allows a user to review all particular grocery items available at each selected grocery store, compare the current prices and select the most desirable particular grocery item at the most convenient grocery store. Preferably, particular grocery items matching dietary requirements of a selected diet plan will be presented ahead of particular grocery items not matching the dietary requirements of a selected diet plan. Preferably, selecting particular grocery items automatically adds them to the shopping cart list for the selected grocery store and accumulates any coupons and sums the total amount of planned purchases.

FIG. 59 illustrates the result of completing the process of selecting particular grocery items for selected grocery stores. This screen, preferably presents the particular grocery items intended for purchase at which grocery store the total expected cost, any expected savings and any remaining grocery item general descriptions not yet resolved.

When a user chooses the checkout button at the completion of choosing particular grocery items preferably, a summary of the particular grocery items in the shopping cart for each of the selected grocery stores is displayed (Step 4), as shown in FIG. 60. A user may preferably choose to either print the shopping cart for each selected grocery store, including any related coupons or, a user my choose to purchase the particular grocery items from a selected grocery store by transferring the shopping cart to the web site and completing the purchase using the selected grocery store's e-commerce capabilities (Step 5). A preferred example of a printed shopping cart list and coupons is shown in FIG. 62. Preferably, transferring the shopping cart will also transfer any related coupons. Once a user chooses to transfer a shopping cart list to a selected grocery store's shopping web site they will utilize that grocery store's web site capabilities to determine how the particular grocery items will be obtained, by delivery or pickup, and how payment will be rendered. FIG. 16 provides the use case “Send a shopping list to the store to place an order” which describes the preferred steps for transferring a shopping cart list to a selected grocery store shopping web site.

Preferably, the user may also choose to download any or all of the shopping carts to a PDA. Additionally, preferably a user may choose combinations of actions such as printing the shopping cart for a selected store and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card, thereby preferably eliminating the need to print the coupons; or downloading the shopping cart to a PDA and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card. FIG. 13 provides the use case “Print a shopping list” which describes the preferred user steps for printing a shopping cart list. FIG. 14 provides the use case “Send a shopping list to personal digital assistant (PDA)” which sets out the preferred user steps for downloading a shopping cart list to a PDA.

Optionally, a user may preferably choose to save a shopping cart list as a shopping list for future use. This is especially helpful for special event (Easter dinner) shopping, where many of the same particular grocery items are purchased each time. A user may also preferably choose to save a shopping list of grocery item general descriptions for future use. FIG. 15 provides a use case “Save current shopping list to user's account” which describes the preferred steps for saving a shopping list or shopping cart list for a registered user. Preferably, a user may also optionally save the shopping cart lists to a pantry list which can be used as a reminder in the future of the items in their physical pantry. Also, preferably a user can use a saved pantry list to suggest possible recipes for a meal.

Additionally, the user will preferably be presented with the opportunity to select and designate products they wish to have contributed to a specified local charity or food bank. Items designated for contribution will be included in the user's total bill and accumulated for later reporting of the total quarterly or annual contributions to the user.

Additionally, a user will preferably be presented with particular grocery item advertisements that are relevant to the particular grocery items entered into the user's shopping cart list. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery item based on the best price or other similar store promotion. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery items that have been identified as “going well with” a selected particular grocery item for consideration by the user for inclusion in his/her shopping cart list of selected items.

Finally, the user may optionally choose to compare the price of a particular product at the selected store with the price of the product at other stores in the geographic area.

During the selection process preferably the user may optionally view the standard nutrition label information and other information for any particular grocery item.

Shark Shop

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site. Preferably, users may access a saved shopping list by selecting the “Start Shopping Using a Saved List” text link. FIG. 63 illustrates a list of saved shopping lists that may preferably be returned. The use case “Saved shopping list access” provided in FIG. 12 further describes the steps that may preferably be followed by a user to access a saved shopping list. As shown, each saved list preferably has been meaningfully named by the user to ease selection of a saved list the meets the user's needs. Preferably, each saved list may preferably be reviewed by selecting the name of the list which is a link to a display of the items contained in the list; such a display is presented in FIG. 64. From this detail list a user may preferably choose to add additional grocery item general descriptions or particular grocery items to the list, in the manner described above, before comparison shopping at the user's preferred stores.

Additionally, a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item on the list by selecting the particular grocery item name. Preferably, the particular grocery item name is a link to the detail product and nutritional information display, as illustrated in FIG. 65. Furthermore, use case “Shopping list item nutritional information request” shown in FIG. 17 further describes the user actions preferably required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item. The ability to access the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed.

At this point, a user may preferably choose to “Shark Shop” if all the list items are resolved to particular grocery items. “Shark Shop” is preferably a process of the system which will automatically select the particular grocery item from the preferred grocery store where it is priced lowest. In other words, the “Shark Shop” process preferably automatically comparison shops for the items for the user.

The first step in the “Shark Shop” process after selecting a saved shopping list is preferably to select the preferred stores to be shopped by selecting the button “Shark Shop for Checked”. The grocery store selection screen is illustrated by FIG. 66. While it is not required, users may preferably choose to add another grocery store to their profiles by selecting the “Add stores to Profile” button which presents the Advanced Store Selection screen as shown in FIG. 67. This process preferably permits a user to search for stores within a user determined radius of an address or zip code, or to search within a particular city. Selecting the “Find Stores” button will preferably cause the system to search for stores within the entered criteria. The results of the search are preferably presented on a screen as illustrated in FIG. 68. Preferably, a user may now select a grocery store to be added their profile and clicking on the “Add Checked Stores” button. The result of this action is shown in FIG. 69. Clicking on the “Continue” will preferably return the user may to the screen for selecting which preferred store will be used for the “Shark Shop” process. The preferred store selection screen is demonstrated in FIG. 70.

The second step is preferably begun when the “Shark Shop” button is selected after selecting the “Shark Shop” grocery stores as instructed. The “Shark Shop” process will result in all items on the shopping list being preferably automatically placed in a shopping cart for the preferred grocery store with the lowest price for the particular grocery item. An example of this is shown in FIG. 71.

The final step is preferably completed by selecting the “Checkout” button which allows the user to decide the method for purchasing the items. The purchase options for the user are preferably the same as presented earlier.

My Pantry

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may select the “My Shark” tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account. The “My Shark” home page is illustrated in FIG. 72. A user may preferably choose to view the list of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items previously saved in “My Pantry” by selecting the text link “View Items in My Pantry”. The resulting screen is illustrated by FIG. 73. “My Pantry” is preferably intended as an inventory of the items kept by users in their homes. A user's pantry list may preferably be used for a variety of purposes including adding items to a shopping list and suggesting recipes based on some or all of the pantry items.

Preferably by checking specific items on the pantry list and by clicking on the “Suggest Recipes Based on Checked” button users will be presented with a list of recipes that can be prepared using from the checked items as illustrated in FIG. 74. The search results preferably presents a list of recipes which then can be reviewed by a user by selecting the name of a recipe which is a text link to the recipe details. An example of the recipe details that are displayed are shown in FIG. 75. At this point a user preferably has several standard recipe options as shown on the screen, including adding the recipe items to a shopping list or “Shark Shopping” for the items and the option to add the recipe to the user's personal recipe list.

Preferably, by selecting the button “Add to My Recipes” the system will save a copy of the recipe in the user's account. The outcome of this action is illustrated in FIG. 76.

Alternate preferred user steps for managing user's pantry items if provided in use case “Alert when food is running low” provided in FIG. 29 and use case “Disable/modify alert when food is running low” provided in FIG. 30.

Recipes (Item 12)

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users my select the “Recipes” tab from any screen to access all the recipes available on the Grocery Shopping Web Site. Users may preferably view a directory of recipes, view only featured recipes from particular grocery item manufacturers and others, find a particular recipe, or create a recipe.

A user may preferably select the “Create a Recipe” text link to begin the process of creation and storage of a user's personal recipe. The initial screen for creation of a recipe preferably permits a user to name the recipe, describe the preparation instruction, and identify the recipe's ingredients. A user may preferably identify the ingredients as either grocery item general descriptions or as particular grocery items their unit of measure and required quantity.

Preferably a user will select the “Add Product Category” button which will preferably assist a user in the insertion of grocery item general descriptions, or categories of items, in the ingredient list. A user will select the appropriate grocery item general descriptions from the same three tier menu used to create shopping lists. Selection of an end item on the three tier menu will preferably automatically add the grocery item general description to the recipe and return the user to the Recipe Creation screen. An example of the screen used for selecting grocery item general descriptions is shown in FIG. 79. A user may also preferably add a particular grocery item to a recipe by selecting the “Add Product” button. Selecting the “Add Product” button preferably allows the user to search for the desired particular grocery item with the same process used when adding particular grocery items to a shopping cart. An example of the search result is illustrated in FIG. 80. Clicking on the “Add Product to Recipe” will preferably add the checked particular grocery item to the ingredient list of the recipe being created.

The next step in recipe creation preferably requires the user to classify the recipe to facilitate easy retrieval. The classification process is preferably accomplished using a three tier recipe classification menu as illustrated in FIG. 81. As with other three tier menus used in the system a user clicks on the end point of which best classifies the recipe. Clicking on the end point of the menu will preferably automatically return the user to an updated recipe detail screen as illustrated in FIG. 82.

Alternative preferred user steps are described in use cases “Browse recipes” provided in FIG. 23, “Recipe creation” provided in FIG. 24, and “Edit/delete a recipe” provided in FIG. 25.

Menu and Meal Plans (Item 11)

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may select the “My Shark” tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account. The “My Shark” home page is illustrated in FIG. 72. A user may preferably choose the “My Meals” text link to view all the meals they have saved as illustrated by FIG. 83. From this screen a user preferably may choose any of several options, including viewing the contents of any meal by clicking on the meal name, adding all the contents of a meal to a shopping list by selecting the meal and clicking on the button Add Checked to Today's Shopping List”, deleting a meal, or creating a new meal.

The process for creating a new meal involves several steps which are similar to other functions of the system such as creating a recipe or creating a shopping list. However, meals may preferably contain recipes as well as grocery item general descriptions, and particular grocery items. Selecting the “Create Meal” button is the first step in the process. The screen, as shown in FIG. 84, allows the user to name the meal, identify its meal type and begin selecting its contents. Selecting the “Add Product Category” button preferably provide the user the opportunity to use the previously described three tier menu structure to select grocery item general descriptions to be included in the meal. Likewise, selecting the “Add Product” button preferably provides the user the opportunity to use the previously described particular grocery item selection process to identify particular grocery items to be included in the meal. A preferred meal contents screen displaying the results of adding a grocery item general description is presented in FIG. 85. The preferred screen displaying the search results for a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 86. The preferred meal contents screen displaying the results for adding a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 87. Finally, selecting the “Add Recipe” button provides the user the opportunity add a saved or manufacturer's recipe to the meal.

Preferably, to add a recipe to a meal, a user will use the three tier recipe classification menu to browse the recipes available in a user's preferred recipe classification; such as shown in FIG. 88. After select a desired end point in the three tier recipe classification menu the user is preferably presented with a list recipes as shown in FIG. 89. At this point, the user may preferably check the desired recipe and click on the “Add Checked to Meal” button to add the recipe to the meal. The resulting meal is now presented in an updated meal display as shown in FIG. 90. Once the user is satisfied with the content of the meal it may preferably be saved in the user's list of meals by clicking on the “Save Meal” button. After saving the new meal the user's meal list is updated and the result is displayed, as shown in FIG. 91.

Alternative preferred user steps for meals are described in use cases “Define a meal for a menu plan” provided in FIG. 26, “Create a meal plan” provided in FIG. 27, and “Edit/delete a meal” provided in FIG. 28.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention menu plans may be prepared by users from any combination of meals. Additionally, it is preferable for menus plans to span a specified time period which may be a day, multiple days up to a maximum of seven. Creation of a menu plan preferably requires several steps. Preferably, the first step is to view the current list of saved menu templates as shown in FIG. 92. Preferably, this screen may be accessed from a variety of other screens including the “My Shark” home page shown in FIG. 72 and from the “My Meal List” screen shown in FIG. 91. From the Saved Menu Templates” screen preferably a user may view the contents of any saved menu plan, create a menu plan, delete a menu plan, a selected menu plan to the menu calendar or add the contents of a menu plan to a shopping list. To create a menu plan a user will click on the “Create New Template” button which will result in the presentation of “Create Menu Template” screen as shown in FIG. 93. This screen preferably allows the user to name the menu template for future reference, add meals for any time of day and for any day of the menu plan, as well as save the template or view a summary of the template. Selecting the “Add Meal” button for any time of day will preferably result in a list of meals organized by type of meal as illustrated in FIG. 94. Preferably, a user may check specific meals from the list and click on the “Add Checked Meals to Menu Template” button to add one of more to the menu plan. The result of these actions preferably will return the user to the “Create Menu Template” screen which is updated for the additional meals. An example of the preferred screen is shown in FIG. 95. Users may preferably repeat this described process until all the desired meals have been added to the menu template. When all desired meals have been added to a menu template a summary of the meals for a day of the menu plan preferably may be reviewed as shown in FIG. 96. A user may also request to see a summary list of all meals included in a menu plan by selecting the “View Template Summary” button. The preferred resulting list of meals is organized by meal type within menu plan day, as illustrated in FIG. 97. At completion of the process of adding a menu template preferably an updated “Saved Menu Templates” screen is displayed for the user as shown in FIG. 98.

Preferably, a user may add any menu template to the menu calendar from the “Saved Menu Templates” screen. Preferably, by checking a menu template, specifying a starting date and clicking the “Add Checked to Menu Calendar” a menu template can be placed on the Menu Calendar. As illustrated in FIG. 99 the Menu Calendar preferably displays all schedule menu plans in a calendar format. Preferably, a user may delete a day's menu from the calendar or view the meals planned for any day. Additionally, a user may preferably add all the grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items required to prepare the meals planned for any day to a shopping list.

Best Price Lookup

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may preferably search for the best price for any particular grocery item at a number of selected stores. Preferably, this capability may be accessed from the “Shop” home page by clicking on the “Find the Best Price” secondary text link. Preferably a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 100. Next, preferably a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 101. Preferably, the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 102. Alternative preferred user steps are described in use case “Product search within a particular ZIP code” provided in FIG. 8.

Nutritional Information Lookup

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item. Preferably, this capability may be accessed from the “Shop” home page by clicking on the “Nutritional Information” secondary text link. Preferably a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 103. Next, preferably a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 104. Preferably, the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 105. Furthermore, use case “Look up the nutritional content of a food item”, as provided in FIG. 22, further describes alternate preferred user actions required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item. Alternatively, preferably access to the detail product and nutritional information on a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed.

PDA

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may preferably accomplish a number of functions using a PDA, a handheld computing device. These may preferably include creating shopping lists, editing shopping lists and transferring shopping lists through the user's computer which is connected to the Internet to the Grocery Shopping Web Site. The preferred steps to accomplish these functions are described in use cases “PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) software installation” provided in FIG. 31, “PDA shopping list creation” provided in FIG. 32, “PDA shopping list edit/delete” provided in FIG. 33, and “PDA shopping list upload to user account” provided in FIG. 34.

External Information Processes (Items 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 21)

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention an Internet-based interface will preferably be provided to permit requesting, receiving and management of advertising presented to the user which is relevant to items appearing on the user's current shopping list. As is common practice, the agreements preferably will provide for the placement of advertising in return for payment to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator based on a display volume measure. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with manufacturers for downloading, storing, managing and presenting manufacturer's nutrition label information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. Additionally, these agreements may preferably include downloading, storing and managing meal plans and menu plans. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with manufacturers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading, storing and managing each participating store's information, particular grocery item inventory information and in-store promotions. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with grocery stores may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of grocery store logo and products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with coupon clearinghouses for downloading, storing and managing manufacturer's coupon and special promotion information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with coupon clearinghouses may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading user's savings from coupons to the selected grocery store's savings card database which then can be applied as a reduction in the user's total cost at the time of payment. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based process rather than downloading, the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with diet plan providers for downloading, storing and managing diet plan information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with diet plan providers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising, diet plan usage and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

The present invention is described in terms of the above examples and embodiments. While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims. Accordingly, departures may be made from details described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concepts. 

1. A computer system, relating to online grocery shopping, comprising: a) at least one first database to store at least one organized listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; b) at least one second database to store at least one organized listing of particular grocery item descriptions; c) at least one first computer processor to relate at least one generic grocery-item description to at least one particular grocery item description; d) at least one third database to store information about at least one plurality of grocery stores; e) at least one fourth database to store, for each grocery store, comparison information relating to at least particular grocery item description; f) at least one first interface to permit selection of at least one generic grocery-item description from the at least one organized listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; g) at least one second computer processor, responsive to selection of at least one generic grocery-item description, to present comparison information about at least one particular grocery item available in at least two grocery stores; and h) at least one second interface to permit selecting at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at a selected grocery store.
 2. The computer system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one fourth database stores such comparison information comprising at least: a) grocery item manufacturer UPC coding of such at least one particular grocery item; and b) price information of such at least one particular grocery item.
 3. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one network-compatible access-architecture structured and arranged to provide user-access through at least one computer network.
 4. The computer system according to claim 3, further comprising: a) at least one grocery-store-selection computer interface to permit user selecting of such at least two grocery stores among such at least one plurality of grocery stores; and b) at least one purchases-list computer database to store such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list.
 5. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one grocery-store-selection computer interface comprises: a) at least one shopping-area-selection computer interface to permit user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and b) at least one area-limited-store-selection computer interface to permit user selection of such at least two grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area.
 6. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one first interface further comprises: a) at least one shopping-list-management computer interface to permit user creation and management of at least one shopping list, comprising a listing of user-selected generic grocery-item descriptions; and b) at least one shopping-list computer database to store such at least one shopping list.
 7. The computer system according to claim 6, further comprising: a) at least one shopping-list-retrieval computer processor to retrieve such at least one shopping list stored in said at least one shopping-list computer database; and b) at least one particular-shopping-list computer interface to permit user selection of particular grocery items using such at least one shopping list.
 8. The computer system according to claim 7, wherein such user selection of particular grocery items may now be performed after display to at least one user of such comparison information relating to such at least particular grocery item description from such at least two grocery stores.
 9. The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising: a) at least one recipe computer database to store a plurality of recipe ingredient listings, each comprising at least one listing of such generic grocery-item descriptions; b) at least one recipe-selection computer interface to permit user selection among such plurality of recipe ingredient listings; and c) at least one recipe-to-shopping-list computer interface to permit adding, to be stored for purchase, such at least one generic grocery-item description from such at least one recipe ingredient listing to such at least one shopping list.
 10. The computer system according to claim 9, further comprising: a) at least one meal-plan-receiving computer processor to receive at least one meal plan; b) at least one meal-plan computer database to store such at least one meal plan; c) at least one recipe-ingredient-listing-adding-to-meal-plan computer interface to permit adding at least one recipe ingredient listing to such at least one meal plan; d) at least one generic-description-adding-to-meal-plan computer interface to permit adding such at least one generic grocery-item description to such at least one meal plan; and e) at least one particular-item-adding-to-meal-plan computer interface to permit adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan.
 11. The computer system according to claim 10, further comprising: a) at least one menu-plan-receiving computer processor to receive at least one menu plan; b) at least one menu-plan computer database to store such at least one menu plan; c) at least one meal-plan-adding-to-menu-plan computer interface to permit adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; d) at least one particular-item-from-menu-to-shopping-list-adding computer interface to permit adding at least one particular grocery item from such at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and e) at least one general-description-from-menu-to-shopping-list-adding computer interface permitting adding such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
 12. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fourth database further comprises at least one shelf-location computer database to store shelf-location information relating to such at least particular grocery item.
 13. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium executable by a processor having a set of instructions enabling the steps of: a) storing an organized listing of generic grocery-item descriptions; b) storing data-information describing unrelated grocery stores; c) relating a particular grocery item to at least one generic grocery-item description; d) storing, for each one of such unrelated grocery stores, comparison data-information relating to a particular grocery item; e) presenting data-comparison information, in response to selecting at least one generic grocery-item description, for a particular grocery item available in selected grocery stores; and f) providing storing selected particular grocery items to be purchased at a selected grocery store.
 14. The computer program according to claim 13, further enabling the step of providing user access through at least one computer network.
 15. The computer program according to claim 14, further enabling the steps of: a) providing user selecting among such plurality of grocery stores; b) providing user selecting of at least one generic grocery-item description from such organized listing of such generic grocery-item descriptions; c) providing user selecting of displayed at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such selected grocery store; and d) providing storing such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such selected grocery store as at least one purchases list.
 16. The computer program according to claim 15, further enabling the step(s) of: a) providing transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one user selected grocery store; and b) providing user access to at least one shopping web site of such selected grocery store.
 17. The computer program according to claim 16, further enabling the step of providing storing of such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
 18. The computer program according to claim 15, further comprising the step of providing transferring of such at least one purchases list to at least portable computing device.
 19. The computer program according to claim 15, further comprising the step of providing printing of such at least one purchases list.
 20. The computer program according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: a) providing storing of such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; b) providing selecting and removing such at least one particular grocery item to and from such at least one pantry list; c) providing user selecting of at least one particular pantry list; and d) providing adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
 21. The computer program according to claim 15, wherein the step of providing user access through at least one computer network comprises the steps of: a) registering at least one user with such at least one computer network; and b) storing demographic information of such at least one user.
 22. The computer program according to claim 21, further enabling the step of recording user selections of particular grocery items.
 23. The computer program according to claim 13, further enabling the steps of: a) receiving at least one electronic coupon related to a particular grocery item from a particular grocery item manufacturer; b) storing such at least one electronic coupon; c) displaying such at least one electronic coupon to at least one user; and d) assisting user-redemption of such at least one electronic coupon.
 24. The computer program according to claim 13, further comprising the step(s) of: a) receiving at least one diet plan comprising dietary requirements; b) storing such at least one diet plan; c) providing selecting at least one stored diet plan; d) providing relating dietary requirements of at least one selected diet plan to at least one particular grocery item; and e) presenting, to be selected by a user, particular grocery items related to both such dietary requirements and to such selected at least one generic grocery-item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description.
 25. The computer program according to claim 13, further enabling the steps of: a) receiving advertising information; b) relating such advertising information to at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and c) presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase to a user. 